BAYTOWN, Texas – A woman was found dead on Mother's Day inside her Baytown apartment, and police suspect foul play.
Police made the discovery late Sunday at the Lakes of Madera Apartments in the 300 block of West Baker in Baytown.
The victim's husband, who is away on a business trip, had not heard from her in several hours, so he contacted police to check on her.
Police arrived around 9:45 p.m. and found Nataliya Shal, 50, lying on the floor of her apartment with several wounds on her body. The injuries were clear signs of foul play and she had been brutally murdered, police said.
"After they saw what appeared to be a body lying on the ground, they made forced entry to the home, to the apartment, and noticed the female was deceased," Baytown Police Officer Edgar Elizondo said. "As far as forced entry, we aren't too sure. The door was secure when we got here. But as far as the deadbolt being locked and all of that, we aren't too sure yet."
One neighbor who knew Shal said she moved to Texas from Russia a year ago.
Neighbors said they can't believe that anyone would do this, and they never thought it could happen so close to home.
"It's really quiet. We walk our dogs every night. This is the first time this has happened. It's scary," neighbor Rachel Miller said.
Neighbors said Shal was full of life, always smiling and wanting to say hello.
"I really don't know who would do this. I was very shocked. She's very sweet and very loving, and I would have talks with her, and she loves pets," neighbor Sheila Shelton said.
"She was so nice. She was very nice, always saying, 'Hi, how y'all doing?' to you," neighbor Elizabeth Morris said.
Baytown police would not say Shal was killed, but said she suffered serious injuries.
Anyone with information about the death is urged to call Baytown police at 281-422-8371 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
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